The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Developing a Program in SPIM

By now, if you have been doing all the homework and
class examples, you have begun to feel a lot more at home
with the programming process in SPIM .
However, the primary focus of ALL programming is
loops, since loops do all the heavy work in a program.
This is where you need additional experience.
Once again, the only way to learn programming is to
program. That includes programming loops.
As a way to get additional experience, we will do this
program together. At this time, turn on your laptops.
1

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Programming Problem
Our joint program will take keyboard input for a decimal
number up to eight digits (99,999,999) and convert the
decimal number to hexadecimal.
It will then print out the hex result on the SPIM simulated
console.
The program will run continually and convert multiple
numbers, if desired.
We will construct this program together, so that you can get
some more practice in live coding.
The program should be completed off-line if you do not
finish by the end of class (and also to make an addition to
the program discussed at the end of class).
2

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Thoughts on the Program

What does our decimal-to-hex program need to do?

1.
2.
3.
4.

Input the number from the keyboard.

Convert the decimal number to a hexadecimal number.
Output the number in hex.
Key consideration: SPIM does not have a way to output hex
numbers, since any number we output with syscall 1 is
automatically converted to decimal.
5. Therefore we must convert each hex digit of the number to the
corresponding ASCII character, since we can output ASCII
characters in two ways:

Convert each hex digit to ASCII, and print out using syscall 11.
Convert all the digits, store in a string, and output using syscall 4.
Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Thoughts (2)
Some good news:
All numbers in the computer are binary.
Furthermore, these binary numbers are immediately partitionable
into hex (as in the SPIM simulated console display).
Then any number input into the MIPS computer can be easily
separated into 4-bit nibbles, that represent hexadecimal digits.

Our task is then reduced to:

Isolating each 4-bit nibble separately (as a single hex digit).
Converting each nibble to the equivalent ASCII character and
printing the character.

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Thoughts (3)
Other considerations:
For simplicity, we will only use fixed-point, integral numbers,
(we have not covered floating-point programming).
Remember: System call 5 will take any number of digits in an
input. However, it truncates after the decimal number input
reaches the size of a 32-bit fixed-point representation (that is
0x ffff ffff, or about 2,150,000,000).
Worse yet, it truncates the most significant bits.
In order to forestall this problem we will limit inputs to eight
(8) decimal digits. The biggest 8-digit decimal number is
99,999,999 = 0x05f5e0ff, so we will always be able to represent
the decimal number properly in the conversion.
5

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Thoughts (4)

Our decimal-hex conversion routine is then:

1. After keyboard input, move the contents of $v0 to another
register (must reserve $v0 for system calls). The number will
already be the binary equivalent of the decimal number.
2. One binary nibble (i.e., 4 bits) is equivalent to one hex digit. We
therefore analyze the number nibble by nibble as a hex digit
string.
3. We convert each nibble to the equivalent ASCII character for
that hex number, storing the ASCII character in a reserved
byte string location, or printing character-by-character.
4. When all eight nibbles (hex digits) of the 32-bit MIPS input
data word are analyzed, the conversion is complete.

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Thoughts (5)
Since we want to output the converted hex number correctly, that
means that we must print out the most significant digit first,
proceeding to less significant digits in descending order (we read
numbers left-to-right starting with the most significant digit).
This suggests that we analyze the hex number starting with the
most significant digit, then the next-most-significant, and so on, so
that the printing order will be correct.
Due to the restriction of 8 decimal digits (99,999,999 max. size), the
left-most digit will always be 0. If the input number is much
smaller, more digits of the result will be 0.
Leading 0s can easily be discarded by a preliminary testing loop.
Note that after a non-zero number is encountered, we will want to
keep 0s interior to the number.
7

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Thoughts (6)
How can we analyze the eight-digit hex number
one digit at a time?
Use logical AND instruction to mask off or isolate
each 4-bit hex number.
The masked result will be a 32-bit number with
all 0s except where the 4-bit mask preserved 4 bits.
To simplify the loop, the mask should always be in
the same place.
We can use a shift or rotate instruction to get each
succeeding 4-bit nibble positioned under our mask.
8

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Thoughts (7)
Doing a rol 4 then an andi using a 0x 0000 000f mask will
result in a hex number (nibble) in the four LSB positions, and
also allows analysis of the most-significant hex digit first.
We put the number being analyzed in the four least significant
bit locations. Then the four bits can be analyzed as the single
hex digit that they represent (the other 28 bit positions = 0).
0x 0000 d000
This is d thousand, NOT hex d.
0x 0000 000d
This number is a hex d.
After converting the digit to the equivalent ASCII character,
we can either output using syscall 11 or store the character for
later output using syscall 4. By analyzing the most-significantdigit first, our print routine will print out digits in the correct
numeric order.
9

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Program Sequence
Now we can write down a the basic task sequence:

Input number from keyboard (immediately binary [hex] form).

Move number to another register. Set up loop parameters.

Loop sequence:
Rotate 4 most significant (leftmost) bits to right-most 4 bit
position.
Mask off those 4 bits and store in another register.
(Result is one hex digit [4-bits] in right 4 bit positions.)
Test to see if nibble = 0. Discard 0s until non-0 character found.
Convert binary nibbles to equivalent hex ASCII character.
Output using syscall 11 or store characters for later print-out.
Repeat for each 4-bit number until remaining digits are converted.
Print out digits (if not printed on the fly).
10

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

The University of Texas at Dallas

Basic Flow Chart for Hex Digit

Input number,
move from $v0
to $tx

Rol 4 $tx, AND with

0xf, store in $ty

Leading 0?

No

Yes

Convert the 4-bit #

to ASCII char. and
store # or print

Rol 4 $tx, AND with

0xf, store in $ty

Decrement
counter ($tz)

No
Count = 0?

11

Yes

Number conversion
is complete.

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

Print out characters

or CR/LF
N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Loop Mechanics
With the basic program flow laid out, the hex digit
analysis loop must be designed.
Since each 32-bit binary MIPS number is equivalently 8 hex
digits, we must go through the loop 8 times (remembering that
at least the first digit will always be a leading zero).
This means that we require a counter. This can be a register
that we initially set to 0.
Each time we traverse the loop and analyze one ASCII
character, we will add one to the register.
When the number in the register = 8, we will have gone
through the loop 8 times, and the analysis will be complete.
12

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Loop Mechanics (2)

The central work of the loop is simple:
Rotate the input number (being held in some register) four bits
left. This transfers one digit to the LS position in the number.
Mask off by ANDing the number with 0xf and store it in
another register. This represents one hex digit. Since we rotate
left, we analyze the biggest hex digit first and subsequent digits
in descending order (the order we need to print!).
Convert this digit to the ASCII code for the digit.
We can either store this digit for output later or output
immediately with syscall 11.
As we are in the loop design phase, we have to make that choice
NOW. I will make it by deciding that we will output each digit
on-the-fly using syscall 11!
13

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Writing the Program

We can start writing the program now, although we still have
some decisions to make. Consider our data declarations:
Prompt command, to tell the user to input a number.
An answer announcement, preceding the numerical answer.
A request if another number conversion is desired.

Data declarations:
prompt: .asciiz Enter decimal number (8 digits, maximum):
answer: .asciiz Hexadecimal number is: 0x
comp:
.asciiz Input another number (y/n)?

14

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Register Assignments
To keep it simple, lets assign registers now, so we will
be programming using a common set of designations.
We can use mainly the t-registers with one exception.
My suggestion:
Counter Use $t0 This will keep track of times through the
loop.
Register to hold hex digit (nibble) being analyzed Use $a0
(Why use this register?)
Register to hold original number input (transfer from $v0)
Use $t1

Isnt it surprising how few registers we need?

15

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

The University of Texas at Dallas

Updating the Flow Chart

Input number,
move from $v0
to $t1.

Rol 4 $t1, AND with

0xf, store in $a0.

Leading 0?

No

Yes

Convert 4-bit # in
$a0 to ASCII and
print.

Rol 4 $t1, AND with

0xf, store in $a0.

$t0 $t0+1

No
Loop
count = 8?
16

Yes

Output is complete.

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

Output CR/LF so
that program is ready
for next conversion.
N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Doing the Programming

We can write several early sections of the
program before we get to the data conversion
algorithm, which we have yet to deal with:
The program header (basically a big comment).
The data declaration (which we have already looked
at).
The pre-loop code.
The leading 0 elimination loop.

Then we will consider the data conversion loop,

and how it must really operate.
17

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Program Prolog
# Lecture 16 Demo Program 1, Hex Number Conversion

#
#
#
#
#
#

18

Converts a Decimal Number to Its equivalent hex value and

prints out hexadecimal number to console.
Program name
$t0 - Loop counter
and description
$a0 - Holds each hex digit as analyzed Definition of
$t1 - Holds number input from keyboard register roles

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Data Declarations
Initial prompt to user

Data directive
.data
prompt: .asciiz Enter decimal number (8 digits, maximum): "
answer: .asciiz "Hexadecimal number is 0x" Answer leader
Program will do
comp: .asciiz "Input another number(y/n)?"
multiple conversions

# End of file Lecture 16 Demo Program 1 Final comment

19

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Doing Pre-Loop Software

What do we need to do before entering the loop
that eliminates leading 0s?

Text declaration (.text)

Prompt to enter a number < 99,999,999
Number input syscall
Transfer number out of $v0
Since we are outputting the answer digit by digit,
here we should output the answer header
(Hexadecimal number is)
Clear the counter (since we plan on program being
able to do multiple decimal-hex conversions)
20

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Pre-Loop Software
main:

21

.text
la $a0,prompt
li $v0,4
syscall
li $v0,5
syscall
move $t1,$v0
la $a0,answer
li $v0,4
syscall
move $t0,$0

# Text declaration
# Load print out of prompt sequence
# Output prompt to enter decimal number
# Read integer to convert to hex
# Get number out of $v0
# Output answer header

# Clear counter (can do multiple conversions)

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Eliminating Leading Zeroes

Remember, in evaluating digits, we start at the most
significant digit first (do an rol 4 for each digit to get it
to least significant position).
The first digit will ALWAYS be 0, and possibly one or
more additional digits, depending on the size of the
input decimal number.
Therefore, our first job, after inputting the number, is
to test it and throw it away if it is a zero.
Once we find a non-zero number, we go into the
decimal-to-hex conversion routine.
22

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Eliminating Leading Zeroes (2)

Things to be done:

23

Put 11 in $v0 (will be doing several syscall 11s).

Label the start of the 0-elimination loop.
Do rol 4 on $t1 and return to $t1.
Mask off least significant 4 bits in $t1 and $a0
(why put in $a0?).
Test for 0 value.
If 0, get next digit as above.
What if some smart alec inputs a 0 as the
number?! Need to test for 8 successive 0 digits!
If digit 0, go to decimal hex conversion routine.
Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Zero Elimination Software

elim:

24

li $v0,11
rol $t1,$t1,4

# Load number of syscall (11) into $v0

# Left rotate digit to right-most
# position
and $a0,$t1,0xf # "Mask off" left-most digit
bgtz $a0,num # If a non-zero go to character
# conversion routine
addi $t0,$t0,1 # Since character = 0, increment counter
beq $t0,8,zero # If 8 zeroes, loop done; go to print
j elim
# Get next character

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Converting to Hex
The big question: How to convert a hex digit to the
ASCII code for the character representing that digit?
Consider hexadecimal numbers 0-9 (0000-1001):

The ASCII code for 0 is 0x 30 (decimal 48).

The ASCII code for 1 is 0x 31 (decimal 49).
Etc., to 9, whose ASCII code is 0x 39 (decimal 57).
The ASCII code for hex numbers 0 to 9 (binary 0000 to 1001) is
exactly decimal 48 (hex 30) greater than the number.
Therefore we can define the formula: nASCII =n+48 for a
decimal number n.

Any hex number 0 to 9 can be converted to the ASCII

code for that number by adding 48.
25

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Converting to Hex (2)

What about hex numbers a-f?
Clearly, there must be some value to add to numbers
a-f that results in the ASCII code for those numbers.
In fact, the ASCII code for A is 7 greater than the
ASCII code for 9.
Since A-F are closer numerically to 0-9, I choose to
use capital letters represent hex A-F.
The loop tests each hex number to see if it is 9 or less.
If 0x9 or less add 48 to get the ASCII code.
If hex A-F, add (48+7) to get the ASCII code.
26

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Final Version of Flow Chart

Now we update the flow chart with the fine
points of our decimal-to-hex routine.
Need to show zero-elimination loop in more detail.
Need to add test for a 0 being input to our flow
chart.
Need to show the hex number-to-ASCII character in
detail now that we understand the numeric
conversion routine.
Need to add the routine that asks if another
decimal-to-hex digit conversion is desired.
27

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

The University of Texas at Dallas

Final Loop Flow Chart

Input number,
move from $v0
to $t1

Rol 4 $t1, AND with

0xf, store in $a0

Yes
Leading 0?

Yes

Eighth 0?

No

No

Yes
Rol 4 $t1,
AND with 0xf,
store in $a0

# = 0-9?

No

Add 7 to #

Add 48
to #

Print out a
0 as the
$t0 $t0+1,
final answer

No

Loop
count = 8?

Yes

Print out ASCII

CR/LF

Do
Another
#?

Yes

No

28

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

Halt

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Elements of Data Conversion Loop

We now have enough information to go ahead and
write the data conversion loop.
Once we get to a non-0 number, we convert to hex:
Left rotate the number in $t0 4 bits, return to $t0.
Mask off least 4 bits and store in $a0 (why is that?).
Test to see if <10. (The first time through this loop we start
here why is that?)
If so, convert to number 0-9.
If 10, convert to A-F.
Output the hex character using syscall (11 already in $v0).
Increment and test counter.
Do loop again or stop if counter = 8.
29

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Loop Software (2)

loop:

rol $t1,$t1,4
# Left rotate left digit to right-most position
and $a0,$t1,0xf # "Mask off" left-most digit
num: ble $a0,9,conv # Go to conv routine directly if hex # 0-9
add $a0,$a0,7 # Add 7 because hex number is a-f
conv: add $a0,$a0,48 # Convert number to ASCII
syscall
# Output ASCII representation of hex number
addi $t0,$t0,1 # Increment counter
blt $t0,8,loop # If analysis not complete, do loop again
j next
# Analysis complete; go to end routine

30

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Final Software Pieces

Finally, we need to do several miscellaneous
things:
Output CR/LF (to create a new line).
Output question about doing another number
conversion
Another CR/LF (new line in case we start over).
Input an ASCII character (syscall 12) to get users
answer to do another?
Go to start if do another number.
Halt if user input not = y.
31

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Final Software Pieces (2)

next:

32

li $a0,0x0a
# Print out carriage return for neatness
syscall
la $a0,comp
# Convert another number to hex?
li $v0,4
syscall
li $v0,11
#
li $a0,0x0a
# Output CR/LF
syscall
#
li $v0,12
# Input answer (y = "Yes")
syscall
beq $v0,0x79,main # If yes, go back to start of program
li $v0,10
# End program
syscall
Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

#
#
#
#
#
#
#

Lecture 16 Demo Program 1, Hex Number Conversion

Converts a Decimal Number to Its Equivalent Hex Value and
prints out hexadecimal number to console.
$t0 - Loop counter
$a0 - Holds each hex digit as analyzed
$t2 - Holds number input from keyboard

.text
main: la $a0,prompt # Load print out of prompt sequence
li $v0,4
# Output prompt to enter decimal number
syscall
li $v0,5
# Read integer to convert to hex
syscall
move $t1,$v0
la $a0,answer
# Output answer header
li $v0,4
syscall
move $t0,$0
# Clear counter
elim:

loop:
num:

33

li $v0,11
rol $t1,$t1,4

# Load number of syscall (11) into $v0

# Left rotate left digit to right-most position

and $a0,$t1,0xf
bgtz $a0,num
addi $t0,$t0,1
beq $t0,8,zero
j elim
rol $t1,$t1,4
and $a0,$t1,0xf
ble $a0,9,conv
add $a0,$a0,7

# "Mask off" left-most digit

# If a non-zero go to character conversion routine
# Since character = 0, increment counter
# If 8 zeroes, loop done; go to print
# Get next character
# Left rotate left digit to right-most position
# "Mask off" left-most digit
# Go to conv routine directly if hex # 0-9
# Add 7 because hex number is a-f

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

conv:

add $a0,$a0,48
syscall
addi $t0,$t0,1
blt $t0,8,loop
j next

# Convert number to ASCII

# Output ASCII representation of hex number
# Increment counter
# If analysis not complete, do loop again
# Analysis complete; go to print routine

zero:

li $a0,0x30
syscall

# If number was 0, put 0 in print buffer

next:

li $a0,0x0a
syscall
la $a0,comp
li $v0,4
syscall
li $v0,11
li $a0,0x0a
syscall
li $v0,12
syscall
beq $v0,0x79,main
li $v0,10
syscall

# Print out carriage return for neatness

prompt:
answer:
comp:
#
34

# Convert another number to hex?

#
# Output CR/LF
#
# Input answer (y = "Yes")
# If yes, go back to start of program
# End program

.data
.asciiz Enter decimal number (8 digits, maximum): "
.asciiz "Hexadecimal number is 0x"
.asciiz "Input another number(y/n)?"

End of file Lecture 16 Demo Program 1

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Summary
We have now defined, flow-charted, coded, and
checked out another program together.
In order to properly learn SPIM, you MUST do this
process a number of times.
As I am sure you have learned by now, the only way to
improve your programming skill is to do more
programming.
My experience: Unless you design 10-15 programs, as
you are required to do in your homework and labs and
class exercises, you reduce your chances of passing EE
2310. And that means on your own.
35

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Program 2

Program 2 is our programming

exercise for this lecture.

.text
main:

1. Load 0x84c732d6 into $t0, using li.

2. Construct a program to output each
byte as a signed number. Text and
data declarations are shown.
3. Hints:

A byte loaded from memory is

automatically sign-extended.
Rotate can be useful.
Use $t1 as a counter.

4. Output a CR/LF (0x0a) between

each number.
5. List the numbers that are output.
36

data1:

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

.data
.space 1
N. B. Dodge 9/15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and

Computer Science

Practice Assignment
Do the following: Add lines of code to the class
programming exercise program to (1) eliminate
negative numbers, and (2) eliminate all positive
numbers greater than 99,999,999.

38

Lecture #16: SPIM Programming Example

N. B. Dodge 9/15